Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-16
WOMAN AS A JOURNALIST.
What the Chief Editor Of ''The New Yorl
HERALD Says ON tho Subject.

What the Chief Editor Of 'sThe New York
Herald" Says ON tho Subject.
DIR. Hepworth, of The Herald, needs no
introduction, as his clerical duties, his
books and lectures to young men have
made him known throughout the country.
Dr.. Hepworth is quoted by all who have
met him as possessing the manners of q
Chesterfield. He is of strikingly intel
lectual appearance, and invites confidence
at sight.
sBe seated, please" he said kindly, as
entered the editorial Office. With him
resolved to try other tactics than those
had pursued with his great rival. So
said:
"Dr Hepworth, want position on
The Herald"
ssYess'' inquiringly looking up with an
encouraging smile, and adjusting his
glasses as if to get better view of the
one who had made such bold demand.
fWhat can you do:"
Anything" replied, with a candor
that was probably about as startling as it
was true.
s'Well, that's what The Herald is in
search of. We want talent, and we are
always glad to give everybody a trial.
Sometimes we are compelled to search for
the person we desire. Mr.. Bennett has
told me to allow every reporter to try
writing editorials l try first one and then
another; and what if I am disappointed
times innumerable? I am bound, some
time, to find the talent we are in pursuit
of, and when that occurs the reporter
chosen has secured himself q permanent
position. Just as soon as the man with
that talent is found I'll transfer him from
the reporters room to the editorial desk.
"Do you object to women entering
newspaper ife?'
"No, do not object; but still there are
many things about it not suitable for
women. could not think of sending one
to the police or higher criminal courts, as
could man. Even if / did, the officials
there would give her as little information
as they could, in order to get rid of her,
and very likely, just as she was leaving,
the most important news would take place.
Now male reporter would stay there and
hear and judge of the cases for himself.
AS all that the paper cares for is the
news, it could not afford to be represented
by one continually liable to lose impor-
tant information. But crime and crimi-
nails, though important, do not engross
all our columns, and there is much other
work women can do, and do well. In
this respect might specify the gathering
and writing of clerical, fashion and So
ciety news. Until, however, the public
demand different kind Of news, so long
will women be unable to serve as all
around reporters. The very sources from
which we obtain a larger portion of our
news render it an impossible field for
woman. On account of the sensations
and the scandals which are demanded by
the present popular taste, a gentleman
could not, in delicacy, ask woman to
have anything to do with that class of
news. That is what bars her from repor
tOral success, absolutely"
''Do you favor employing women upon
the work they can do?''
eyes; because on such news matters
they are preferable to men. But, do you
know, they are O restraint in an Office?
The men do not feel at liberty to take off
their coats or rest their feet on the desks;
and them might as well add-they are
too much of Il guard morally. When
they are within hearing men cannot give
vent to their feelings in the language all
grades of angry men employ; conse-
quently the result is apt often to be
serious" Here he looked up in half
DUBIOUS manner, as III TO see WnaI erect
the statement had.
''Then, if you are not opposed to women,
why don't you employ more?'
because, the work which they can
properly do being limited, there is no de-
mand for their services. We have q
woman, an old journalist, whom we are
sending TO Ireland. If a woman has the
same ability and the same means of
securing news as a man, she has the same
chance upon The Herald. What we de-
mand is the best, and we don't care what
form it comes in. When we find what we
want we are willing to keep it at any
price. Nellie BLY, i'll Pittsburg Dispatch.